Washington, D.C., February 28, 2018 -- I am deeply shocked and saddened by the attack near Markounda in the northwestern region of the Central African Republic that killed two members of the Central African Republic Ministry of Education, one UNICEF staff, and two staff members of Bangui Sans Frontière, a local education organization.

The group was assailed while on mission to help children get a better education. This is an appalling act of violence and not acceptable. Children have the right to a quality education and those who are devoted and work towards improving education must be kept safe from harm.

Our thoughts are with the families of the victims to whom we express our most sincere condolences.